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Dan Piner, aged 19 from Kent.. supported the Gills since I was about 8
What made you support your club?
Gillingham are the only local league club, so it wasn't really out of choice! My mum is a Gills fan too, so she pressurised me into it (My Dad's a Watford fan, I didnt have great options!)
Whats your favorite away day and why?
I love going to Forest away, at the City Ground. It's obviously a team with a lot of history, and the Gills have had a few important matches there too (we got relegated from the Championship there on the last day of the season).
Whats your proudest moment being a Gillingham Fan?
Beating Wigan at Wembley in the Division 2 Play Off final. We suffered trauma there the year before when we were 2-0 up against Man City and then lost.. but to come back and win promotion the following year was amazing.
And your most embarassing / disappointing?
There's been a few. This season has been embarassing at times... 2-0 up to Bradford losing 4-2, 3-0 up against Leyton Orient to draw 3-3 to name just two. Last season Bristol City beat us 6-0, and Wolvesbeat us by the same scoreline a few seasons ago too.. they were all pretty low times.
So who is your main rival?
We're split between three really. Millwall- Local, always seem to be bad tempered games. Charlton- Bit a bit of an issue about them 'stealing' our fans. And Swindon- It's a historical thing, I'm a youngster though so I think it's more something between the older generations!
If Gillingham was a Song, what would it be, and why?
D:Ream- Things can only get better is the first song that came to mind due to us being 10 million in debt, and best player turning down a new contract, losing games we should win comfortably. I'm sure there are more suitable songs but that's the first that came to mind! Then again, we can really sympathise with Rotherham and the stupid 10 point penalty, it's a threat that's been hanging over us.
Whos your all time favorite player, and why?
Super Bob Taylor for me. What a player. He was prolific for us, but didn't just score goals he scored fantastic goals! He scored a hatrick against Bristol City, the best hatrick I've ever seen! And he scored all 5 in a 5-0 win against Burnley.
So, Whats happening down there, there were rumours of administraion
looming??
Yea, we are 10 million in debt and struggling to pay bills/ interest. We have a very small squad too, so there really have been a lot of cut backs. We hit a bad run of form earlier in the season, which coincided with a lot of administration talk and so things weren't looking good. But in recent games we've been performing and it's been pushed to the back of everyones mind. The Bank have been good for us and hopefully our 'restructuring' should give us a bit of breathing space.
Are the club still on about moving away from Gillingham?
Our chairman is looking at possibilities. Something is supposedly going to be announced in the next few months. To be honest it's likely that it's going to be a casino or big corporation with a Football Club on it, rather than the other way round. We don't have the funding to really make any decisions!
And is Paul Scally public enemy number one at Preistfield?
Only for some people. He saved the club, and we should always be thankful for that. But, he's always made a few dodgy decisions too.. The over spending on the Medway Stand is what really put us in trouble. He's doing the best he can, he's just made some rubbish decisions.
On the pitch, whats the fans feelings on the season so far?
It's going ok. We've got a horrible knack of conceeding late goals, which has cost us. Going forwards we look good though.
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No! He's far too good for league 1, and his contract runs out at the end of the season. It's likely he'll go before that though.
One player from this division you would like in your team, and why? Any strong defenders that can lead the back four.
Apart from Jarvis, are you worried about losing any players come the January sales?
We have Chorley on loan from MK Dons and his loan runs out in January. He seems exactly the kind of player we need, so it's important we sign him up permanently.
Who's your strongest / Weakest link?
Strongest- Matty Jarvis or Mark Bentley. Weakest I'd say Ian Cox (or Duncan Jupp)- both make silly mistakes at the back and defend too deep.
Predicted Line-up?
Jack, Jupp, Cox, Sancho, Easton, Bentley, Flynn, Crofts, Chorley, Jarvis, Mulligan
Predicted Score? 2-1 Gills
Whos going up??
Forest, Bristol City and... I reckon it'll be a suprise, Gills or Rotherham maybe ;)
And finally. Steak & Kidney, Meat & Tatty or Balti??
Steak and Kidney all the way!
Thanks to Dan for his time and good luck after Saturday! ;-)